Wall panel is an easy technique to cover little defects in walls while also protecting and beautifying them.
The most notable feature of wall panelling is its enormous format, which consists of sheets 8 feet high by 4 feet wide.
In the majority of installations, the panel’s end just needs to be cut by a few inches before it is ready to be fastened using adhesive, tiny nails, or plastic rivets.
When aesthetics, fault coverage, and mild impact resistance are the most crucial factors, pick ornamental wall panelling.
For damp installations or when extremely high impact resistance is necessary, you can also install FRP wall panelling.
The installation of decorative panelling, installing panelling over drywall, and advice for installing panelling over studs are covered in this guide.
So, let’s get started on this simple DIY wall panel project, and I’ll walk you through it step by step!
What is Wall Panelling?
Hardboard, which comes in 4-by-8-foot sheets for decorative wall panelling has a top image layer that gives it the appearance of real wood.
Even some wall panelling has grooves or embossing to create a 3D illusion.
The most significant places for decorative wall panelling are living rooms, hallways, bedrooms, and similar low-moisture spaces.
With only glue and finishing nails, these panels may be installed pretty quickly.
Wall decor panels hide slight flaws in the surface.
They provide some impact protection, notwithstanding the top image layer’s vulnerability to scratches and heavy impacts.
7 Simple Steps to Panel a Wall:
1. Prepare your wall for installation:
Preparing your wall surface for your new wall panelling is the first step.
If you intend to reuse the baseboards and reattach them once the wall panels are up, you should carefully remove them.
Start using a utility knife to score the caulk line where your baseboard meets the wall.
Use a crowbar that has been placed in that line to then carefully remove the baseboard away from the wall.
Once the baseboard has been taken out, you can use a pair of pliers to extract any last nails from it.
After removing your baseboard, you should cut it into the baseboard next to it to provide room for the new depth of the wall when it is finished.
This step is crucial because your baseboard will be reattached to the freshly placed wall panel.
You can accomplish this by aligning a section of your new MDF board with the nearby baseboard and marking the width of the board where your cut will be made.
The excess baseboard can be cut out of the next baseboard using an oscillating or multi-tool with a straight blade, creating a wider opening for your MDF board to slip into.
2. Collect all Wall Panelling Materials:
Depending on the size of your wall and the pattern plan you picked, you can vary the length and quantity of wood components.
Most DIY retailers have 1″ x 4″ MDF boards and wood panelling.
Baseboards or a skirting board ornamental moulding, liquid nails, and quick-grip glue for wood (ensure that whatever moulding you choose has a flat 90-degree angle to sit flush against the sides of your MDF boards.)
3. Make a plan for your wall layout:
Choosing the panelled wall’s layout is the next stage.
I advise creating a paper mock-up of the design you want on your wall.
I experimented with the measurements to see whether my wall height would permit 4 boxes because at least 4 across the breadth of the wall.
Generally speaking, I would not have liked them to be more rectangular, so I decided to use three vertical boxes for each column instead.
Your ability to complete this process depends largely on the amount of wall space you have available.
Using a stud finder, you should first locate and mark the locations of your wall studs.
The strongest attachment of your boards will be possible.
4. Set up the wooden panels:
The bottom MDF panel, which will span the complete width of your wall is now ready for installation.
Use 45-degree cuts at both ends to reduce the board’s length to the required length.
Consider how far the board should be from the base of your floors before putting it.
To accommodate the higher height, we trimmed down some extra MDF boards.
These will also serve as wall studs, enabling you to finish by reinserting your baseboard.
To make sure your board is level, use a spirit level or level laser.
Then, install it by using a brad nailed to attach the board to the wall along each of the stud locations.
To create a “picture frame” layout on the wall, keep measuring and cutting the top and side MDF panel boards.
You may begin putting your vertical panels for each column after deciding on your plan and framing the exterior of the wall.
These are cut on the mitre saw using fundamental straight lines and should extend the whole height of each column.
Before fastening the boards to the wall, make sure to level the boards once again.
Next, you’ll also cut the MDF boards along a straight line to make your boxes.
Then, secure every horizontal panel inside the columns.
Since you can’t be positive that your columns were erected precisely, it’s a good idea to measure the width of each of these vertical boards.
Additionally, you want to strive for a very snug fit at the intersection of your vertical and horizontal boards.
Large gaps will be reduced as a result.
5. Install attractive trim moulding:
The ornamental moulding trim lining the interior of each of your new panel boxes is now available for cutting and installation.
Although this method is rather simple, taking all the measurements you’ll need to make it takes some time.
Marking all of your dimensions and labelling your components as you go might be useful.
Then, you may make all of your cuts at once reducing the number of trips you need to make from your desk to the panelled wall.
To link together inside the wall panel boxes, each interior decorative moulding piece will be cut at a 45-degree angle.
At this point, I began to become fairly excited because I could finally see the accent wall taking shape.
I adored how the ornamental moulding gave the wall panels depth.
6. Work completion:
Finally, you are prepared to go on to the last steps.
Even though this step of the job might be tiresome, it is crucial to complete it if you want your wall to have a professional-looking finish.
Always begin by applying wood filler to cover any nail holes and spaces where your boards meet.
This should be able to dry and sand on the same day.
The baseboard can then be reattached to the wall.
This stage can be a bit challenging because, if you want a mattered cut, you’ll need to pull out your multi-tool once more and cut into the baseboards next to them.
If not, you can reattach your baseboards with a coping saw.
Last but not least, caulk each ornamental panel box’s interior as well as the baseboard and the exterior frame of your accent wall.
This makes them seem more seamless, especially if your wall isn’t completely flat.
7. Paint your new DIY panelled wall:
The final and best step in creating your new accent wall is painting.
On all walls, I favour utilizing an eggshell finish especially if there are numerous ornate trim pieces.
It has the ideal shine for durability but also has a forgiving nature and hides many finishing work faults.
Two coats were plenty, but your results may vary greatly depending on the colour and kind of paint you’ve chosen.
FAQ- To Panel a Wall:
Q1. Which adhesive works best for panelling?
With the use of a construction adhesive, decorative panelling and tile boards can effortlessly complement a room in your house.
We advise using Liquid Nails Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive to complete the task (LN-903).
Q2. What should be used to fill in panelling seams?
For the panelling’s grooves, fill them with joint compound.
The joint compound needs time to dry.
If necessary, add more coats of joint compound.
When the joint compound is smooth and flush with the panelling, sand the panelling with 100-grit sandpaper.
Q3. What is the best way to finish the panelling’s edges?
The simplest way to conceal the edges of a piece of plywood, particle board, or other panel material is to fill them with sparkling putty.
The same substance is used to fill and smooth gypsum wallboard provided that the item will be painted and will not be subjected to impact or rubbing.
Conclusion:
Wall panelling made at home is a quick and simple way to add architectural aspects to your house.
The appearance of any room can be altered for a reasonable price.
Wood panelling and moulding may be added to walls in a variety of ways.
I provided really simple instructions for the picture frame moulding in our dining room to be more recessed.
To make the wall appear more set back, the wall panelling appears to be built up.
It lends a little more character and dimension to the wall.
